Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad, also known by its original German name, Königsberg, is the capital city of Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia. It has about 450,000 inhabitants. It is also called 'Karaliaucius' in Lithuanian, as Lithuanians (cousins to the 'Old Prussians') used to live there. So it is truly 'City of the Four K s: Kaliningrad / Konigsberg / Krolewiec / Karalaucius '.
Travel to Kaliningrad, visa requirements
Flights to Kaliningrad, airtickets
Kaliningrad Hrabrovo Airport is located 16 kilometers away from Kaliningrad. There are buses to/from the domestic terminal to the bus station (YOUzhny vokZAL), but there is no public transportation at the international terminal. Taxi service is also available, normal price is about 200 roubles. Airlines and destinations include:
- Aeroflot (Moscow-Sheremetyevo)
- airBaltic (Copenhagen, Riga)
- Belavia (Minsk)
- Gomelavia (Grodno, Gomel, Minsk)
- KD Avia (Amsterdam-Schiphol, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin-Tegel, Budapest, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Kiev-Boryspol, London-Gatwick, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow-Domodedovo, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Munich, Rome-Fiumicino , St. Petersburg)
- LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw)
- Rossiya (St. Petersburg)
- Sky Express (Moscow-Vnukovo)
- UTair Aviation (Moscow-Vnukovo)
By train
Train number 345 departs Berlin daily at around 21.00, arriving in Kaliningrad around 16.00 the next day. Train 344 operates the return trip, leaving Kaliningrad around 18.30 and arriving in Berlin around 07.00 the next day. Timetables of trains to/from Germany at DB.
Several trains from Moscow pass through Belarus and Lithuania. Also daily train to/from Saint Petersburg via Lithuania. Timetables at Timetables of trains to/from Poland at Poezda.net.
Timetables of trains to/from Poland at PKP - Polish Rail.
By car
Road system is highly developed in Kaliningrad region (thank to Germans, who lived there before), however, they are not always very good (major Russian problem), and sometimes it s hard to get around because of absence of the signs with destinations (especially in the city). Driving rules are generally the same like in most European countries, but not everyone follow these rules, especially when it is rush hour in the city. Be aware of the road police, because they like to stop foreigners and expect some bribes.
There are two ways to get to Kaliningrad by car - from Poland and from Lithuania, but you should expect delays on the borders (sometimes it can take couple hours)! You must have Russian insurance to cross the border, green card is not valid yet (expect it to be valid in 2007-2008). The cost of insurance is about $40-50 for 2 weeks.
Buses to Kaliningrad
Eurolines.ee Bus from Tallinn via Riga.
Bus to/from Gdansk (Zloty 28) - leaves Gdansk at 07:00 and 15:30. See http://www.itisnet.com/english/e-ce/e-poland/e-gdnsk/e-t-gdn.htm
By boat
During summer there is boat service between Kaliningrad, and Frombork, Krynica Morska and Elblarg, Poland - more info at Zegluga Gdanska
Get around
City has bus, trolleybus, and tram networks. The public transportation system is very good and quite cheap.
Kaliningrad attractions and sightseeing
- The old cathedral of Königsberg (founded in 1333)
- The old fortifications (approx. 1860-'70), which includes 15 town gates. In one of them little museum is situated
- Museum of the World Ocean, includes two museum ships and one submarine
- Amber Museum
City tours
Don't forget to visit Kourshian Lagoon National park (Kurshskaya kosa), a sand split between the Baltic sea and the Kourshian Bay.
Shopping, Kaliningrad souvenirs
Good restaurants and cheap meals
There is a fabulous Cafe/Restaurant named Twelwe Chairs (Dvenadtsat' Stuljev). A VERY chic bohemian style Café with a very decent food menu.
Kaliningrad nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Because of Kaliningrad's Soviet past, most of the major city hotels are quite outdated. Look into smaller private B&B's or hire a corporate and leisure apartment. It's a nice alternative to Kaliningrad Hotel.
Get out
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